As far as vacations to dream locations, I think I'm mostly satisfied. If it's not a hassle, I'd visit China, New Zealand, Tahiti, and Kauai. I think S.America could be interesting, something like Machu Pichu, but I'm mostly ignorant about what's to see there. I've been reading about dirty water for the Olympics in Brazil, so, hmm, don't know. 
This winter, we are planning a Viking Ocean cruise that leaves Barcelona, heads to the French Riveria, several stops in Italy, Sicily, Sardinia, then back to Spain. I've traveled a lot globally, but am looking forward to this trip because it's to an area I've limited exposure to and it's to places I'd probably not get to as a dedicated trip.
I'll emphasis that my preferred mode of vacation is do it yourself. Several years ago, spent a week touring Tuscany, based out of Florence. Flew into Rome, rented a car, made a quick trip down to Naples and Pompeii, then back up to Florence, and besides seeing Tuscany, got over to Pisa and up into the southern edge of the Italian Alps. We got a lot done in that week and it was wonderful. A highly recommended destination.
I'm pretty picky about cruises, because I don't consider the boat as the prime destination, but the port and how much time there is to do things there. I would never do a bus tour because the prospect of sitting on a bus for 5 hours headed to the next city is not appealing. River cruises are no contest, much better. As far as pricing. a two week trip is $10K for 2 people, (not counting air fare) $350 per day per person, including approx 3000 km of travel, 11 ports, room and board, 3 meals a day, beer included, and tours at every port, every day in port. Does that sound like a bargain or overpriced? I can say the week we spent in Italy, was more like $2500 for both of us (not counting air fare).
Four years ago we went on a two week Viking Cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest. Now that was a great trip that I talked about in another thread in this forum. It was great because we were visiting both large cities and small out of the way towns and in most cases we slept while the boat sailed down the river. Or we were sitting there enjoying the lovely country side floating by. It's very nice, very relaxing, not having to live out of our suitcase, not having to be up for the bus if we wanted to take the day off. As it was, for the entire trip, my wife passed one time on another castle tour. I like castles, so I always went.
Here's an example of a less satisfactory cruise- a 5 day Disney cruise out of Galveston, Tx. I went on to please the wife, and it felt like we spent most our time at sea. Of the different ocean cruise lines, I have to give Disney top marks for excellent food and environment. No throngs of 20-30 something year olds partying late into the night, and no catastrophes, broken down ships, everyone getting sick, overflowing toilets, which seems to happen semi-regularly on Carnival.
However, our stops in Jamaica and Cayman Islands were short and inadequate, spending most of our time in the especially prepared tourist shopping areas. At Jamaica we did take a horse and buggy tour, but it's not really the kind of place where you'd want to venture out into town on your own. And there was just not much to see on Grand Cayman Island on such a short visit. Probably more fun to go there for 3 or more days. The best stop was Cozumel, where we had all day, visited a Mayan ruin and a Tequila farm before getting back to the ship that evening.
This winter, we are planning a Viking Ocean cruise that leaves Barcelona, heads to the French Riveria, several stops in Italy, Sicily, Sardinia, then back to Spain. I've traveled a lot globally, but am looking forward to this trip because it's to an area I've limited exposure to and it's to places I'd probably not get to as a dedicated trip.
I'll emphasis that my preferred mode of vacation is do it yourself. Several years ago, spent a week touring Tuscany, based out of Florence. Flew into Rome, rented a car, made a quick trip down to Naples and Pompeii, then back up to Florence, and besides seeing Tuscany, got over to Pisa and up into the southern edge of the Italian Alps. We got a lot done in that week and it was wonderful. A highly recommended destination.
I'm pretty picky about cruises, because I don't consider the boat as the prime destination, but the port and how much time there is to do things there. I would never do a bus tour because the prospect of sitting on a bus for 5 hours headed to the next city is not appealing. River cruises are no contest, much better. As far as pricing. a two week trip is $10K for 2 people, (not counting air fare) $350 per day per person, including approx 3000 km of travel, 11 ports, room and board, 3 meals a day, beer included, and tours at every port, every day in port. Does that sound like a bargain or overpriced? I can say the week we spent in Italy, was more like $2500 for both of us (not counting air fare).
Four years ago we went on a two week Viking Cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest. Now that was a great trip that I talked about in another thread in this forum. It was great because we were visiting both large cities and small out of the way towns and in most cases we slept while the boat sailed down the river. Or we were sitting there enjoying the lovely country side floating by. It's very nice, very relaxing, not having to live out of our suitcase, not having to be up for the bus if we wanted to take the day off. As it was, for the entire trip, my wife passed one time on another castle tour. I like castles, so I always went.
Here's an example of a less satisfactory cruise- a 5 day Disney cruise out of Galveston, Tx. I went on to please the wife, and it felt like we spent most our time at sea. Of the different ocean cruise lines, I have to give Disney top marks for excellent food and environment. No throngs of 20-30 something year olds partying late into the night, and no catastrophes, broken down ships, everyone getting sick, overflowing toilets, which seems to happen semi-regularly on Carnival.
However, our stops in Jamaica and Cayman Islands were short and inadequate, spending most of our time in the especially prepared tourist shopping areas. At Jamaica we did take a horse and buggy tour, but it's not really the kind of place where you'd want to venture out into town on your own. And there was just not much to see on Grand Cayman Island on such a short visit. Probably more fun to go there for 3 or more days. The best stop was Cozumel, where we had all day, visited a Mayan ruin and a Tequila farm before getting back to the ship that evening.
Last edited:
